Lake event planned to fill Thunder's void
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
If the old proverb says “Silence is golden,” then there certainly must be some virtue in enjoying the quiet parts of life, especially if a “Quiet in the Hills” event can help raise funds to fight cancer.
For many Septembers, the shores of Rocky Fork Lake have been rocked with the quakes of powerboats during the annual Thunder in the Hills. As financial hardships have prevented organizers from hosting the event in 2011, a group of area residents said they wanted to create an event that would “fill the void” until Thunder in the Hills returns in 2012.
Kim and Larry Chance, owners of Chance Landing on the east shore of Rocky Fork Lake, along with John Hern and Mickey Fornes, are organizing a “paddle-powered” alternative to the annual powerboat races.
“It all just kind of fell together,” Hern said. “Larry and I were at an event together and he was talking about not having Thunder in the Hills this year. He said, ‘We need to have a Quiet in the Hills.’”
“And that doesn’t mean we don’t love Thunder in the Hills,” Larry Chance said. “We’re filling a void until they can bring it back next year; but we hope that we can keep this event going, too.”
Avid fans of boating, particularly canoeing and kayaking, the four began informal efforts to organize a paddle boat event that could introduce newcomers to the sport in a safe environment, and give veterans an excuse to get out on the water on Saturday, Sept. 17 – previously the date for Thunder in the Hills.
Hern said sponsors were immediately interested.
The group currently has several major sponsors, including Water’s Edge Canoe Livery out of Chillicothe, which has donated 76 boats and canoes to be used.
Additionally, Five Rivers Metro Parks out of Montgomery Country, NCB, Ponderosa in Hillsboro, Cellular Solutions, Chance Landing and Hartley Oil, are all contributing. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will also be participating in the donation of buoys and with personnel in crafts in the water.
The event is family friendly, with all ages welcome. Each boater will be required to wear a personal floatation device and will be given instructions. Even if a child or adult has never been in a boat before, they are encouraged to come and try the sport.
“This is a great opportunity to try it under safety and supervision,” Hern said.
“You can try a new sport, and it will all benefit the American Cancer Society,” Fornes said.
The idea to use the event as a fundraiser was a very personal mission, as Kim Chance’s sister, Juli, recently passed away after a battle with
cancer.
“People have a relay for life, well this is a paddle for life,” Kim Chance said.
“And everyone has a ‘Juli,’” Larry Chance said, indicating that so many people have friends or loved ones who battle the disease.
For a donation of $15, individuals can rent a kayak; and for $20, they can rent a canoe. For those who want to bring their own equipment, a $10 donation is being asked.
Water events will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with paddling contests beginning at 2:30 p.m.
“It’s going to be a fundraiser and celebration in one,” Kim Chance said.
Participants will be encouraged to boat around an island that is a landmark in the Thunder in the Hills Race. There will also be games such as slaloms, boat volleyball, and blindfolded paddling.
After the water events, there will be a BBQ and Bluegrass Victory Dinner for $8 and $4 for children 12 and under.
All events begin at Chance Landing, located off 6639 McCoppin Mill Road.
“We have just begun to scratch the surface,” said Kim Chance.
“This is just the beginning,” Hern agreed.
For more information, or to become an event sponsor, contact Hern at (937) 402-0002.
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For many Septembers, the shores of Rocky Fork Lake have been rocked with the quakes of powerboats during the annual Thunder in the Hills. As financial hardships have prevented organizers from hosting the event in 2011, a group of area residents said they wanted to create an event that would “fill the void” until Thunder in the Hills returns in 2012.
Kim and Larry Chance, owners of Chance Landing on the east shore of Rocky Fork Lake, along with John Hern and Mickey Fornes, are organizing a “paddle-powered” alternative to the annual powerboat races.
“It all just kind of fell together,” Hern said. “Larry and I were at an event together and he was talking about not having Thunder in the Hills this year. He said, ‘We need to have a Quiet in the Hills.’”
“And that doesn’t mean we don’t love Thunder in the Hills,” Larry Chance said. “We’re filling a void until they can bring it back next year; but we hope that we can keep this event going, too.”
Avid fans of boating, particularly canoeing and kayaking, the four began informal efforts to organize a paddle boat event that could introduce newcomers to the sport in a safe environment, and give veterans an excuse to get out on the water on Saturday, Sept. 17 – previously the date for Thunder in the Hills.
Hern said sponsors were immediately interested.
The group currently has several major sponsors, including Water’s Edge Canoe Livery out of Chillicothe, which has donated 76 boats and canoes to be used.
Additionally, Five Rivers Metro Parks out of Montgomery Country, NCB, Ponderosa in Hillsboro, Cellular Solutions, Chance Landing and Hartley Oil, are all contributing. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will also be participating in the donation of buoys and with personnel in crafts in the water.
The event is family friendly, with all ages welcome. Each boater will be required to wear a personal floatation device and will be given instructions. Even if a child or adult has never been in a boat before, they are encouraged to come and try the sport.
“This is a great opportunity to try it under safety and supervision,” Hern said.
“You can try a new sport, and it will all benefit the American Cancer Society,” Fornes said.
The idea to use the event as a fundraiser was a very personal mission, as Kim Chance’s sister, Juli, recently passed away after a battle with
cancer.
“People have a relay for life, well this is a paddle for life,” Kim Chance said.
“And everyone has a ‘Juli,’” Larry Chance said, indicating that so many people have friends or loved ones who battle the disease.
For a donation of $15, individuals can rent a kayak; and for $20, they can rent a canoe. For those who want to bring their own equipment, a $10 donation is being asked.
Water events will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with paddling contests beginning at 2:30 p.m.
“It’s going to be a fundraiser and celebration in one,” Kim Chance said.
Participants will be encouraged to boat around an island that is a landmark in the Thunder in the Hills Race. There will also be games such as slaloms, boat volleyball, and blindfolded paddling.
After the water events, there will be a BBQ and Bluegrass Victory Dinner for $8 and $4 for children 12 and under.
All events begin at Chance Landing, located off 6639 McCoppin Mill Road.
“We have just begun to scratch the surface,” said Kim Chance.
“This is just the beginning,” Hern agreed.
For more information, or to become an event sponsor, contact Hern at (937) 402-0002.
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